Question from BBC News website reader Alisha, Redlands, CA, US to the pupils

Given the current attitudes and past events, in both the US, London and around the world, have you ever been scared, shy, resistant, worried, and/or ashamed to be a part of your culture? Or to share and express parts of your culture publicly and to your friends? Why or why not?

Salam, 17, Arab Association School, London: I don't feel any shame because of my culture. I am trying to share some aspects of my culture with my friends. We should not be too Arab because their way of thinking - my native British friends - is different. Sometimes they don't accept us smoothly. They are victims of the media which highlight wars in the Middle East instead of the normal daily life of the average person.

Omar, 14, Arab Association School, London: All my friends here in London know I am an Iraqi. I don't feel any shame to tell them I am an Iraqi and Arab.

Sara, 15, Arab Association School, London: I am proud of being an Arab. I don't feel any shame.

Nour, 15, Arab Association School, London: On the contrary, I have no problem disclosing my identity. My native British friends show understanding of the fact that I am an Iraqi and Muslim. Our values are not always similar. Sometimes people tend to develop stereotyped perceptions that all Muslims are terrorists.

Do you think if you had the chance to visit the US, people would think you are not different from them?

Ali, Sharqia School for Boys, Baghdad: We have many points in common with the Americans. If I had the chance to go there, I would adopt some of their good values while preserving my own traditions and values - the accent, language and some of my values may make me feel different, but we share many common values.

Hibatoallah, Sharqia School for Girls, Baghdad: There are no major differences between us and the Americans. We have the same ambitions and dreams. We share the same aspirations for the future with all students in the world.

What do the pupils think can be done and how would they best effect change of people's perception? What should be done in Iraq as expected by the next generation?

Nidaa, Sharqia School for Girls, Baghdad: Though the situation in Iraq is not good, pupils and students are expected to defy their difficulties and be more determined to succeed in life by hard work. With regards to how to improve our image as Arabs in the West, we as students should work very hard to be excellent academic achievers.

Question from BBC News website reader Harris, Manchester, UK to Sara

What do you mean by students are not treated as they should be in the Middle East?

Sara, 15, Arab Association School, London: I meant that children in the Middle East don't have enough freedom as enjoyed by their peers in the UK. They can't behave as they please. If they choose to behave the way they wish, society won't tolerate their behaviour as there are limits to be observed. However, in Britain children do have more freedom. The meaning of respect in Arab countries is different from that in Britain.

Omar, 14, Arab Association School, London: We respect our parents here in Britain. However, the meaning of parental respect differs from one child to another. We can't generalise about all children here.

Salam, 17, Arab Association School, London: Arab children respect their parents more than their native British peers who believe that the freedom they enjoy after reaching the age of 18 liberates them from the authority of their parents. Therefore, they don't respect their parents as they should.

Sara, 15, Arab Association School, London: For me, there are Arab children who don't respect their parents as there are British children who don't respect their parents.

The same question was then addressed to the Baghdad students but was rephrased as follows: Is there any contradiction between personal freedom and parental respect?

Ali, Sharqia School for Boys, Baghdad: In Iraq we do respect our parents. Unlike Britain, even when students reach the age of 18 and go to the university, they remain with their parents. We are not obliged to respect them but we feel an instinctive feeling to respect them.

Nidaa, Sharqia School for Girls, Baghdad: Respect for our parents is a must even if we grow older. We respect all people, we don't sacrifice it whatever happens.

Question from BBC News website reader Syeda Jabeen Shah, New York, US to the pupils

Do you hope that Iraq will rise again to its former glory?

Salam, 17, Arab Association School, London: I am very optimistic. I have the choice to stay here in the UK or return to my parental country.

Omar, 14, Arab Association School, London: I am optimistic. I have many potentials that I may have the chance to realise. For the time being I don't wish to return to Iraq.